Mark Finchem, Candidate Arizona House of Representatives, LD-11 1. What do you think should be the role of government (state or local) in regards to private property regulations and the number of horses and types of buildings permitted pursuant to those regulations? The role of government in private affairs should be as limited as possible. While well meaning non-agricultural folks (I am a horseman myself) see a need to prevent animal hoarding, that government bureaucracy has its ideas on how animals should be raised and cared for, it is my position that the collective “They” have significantly overstepped their authority. I am a strong private property rights advocate and I do not think zoning for example should be used as a weapon to extinguish a way of life. 2. From time to time, there are conflicts between the owners of horse property and nearby residents or businesses regarding issues such as manure disposal, flies, or dust. As an elected official your role is to balance the needs of everyone in the community. How would you handle a complaint from a constituent regarding these issues from an adjacent horse property? I would most likely apply the common law definition of water rights, “first in use, first in right”. If a person buys land next to an existing horse property it is their responsibility to do their due diligence not the one who already lives on the adjacent land. f they don’t like manure or flies, they might ought look elsewhere. I do not agree that one man should have authority over another who has already settled his affairs. 3. What do you think is the most important thing horses bring to Arizona, and why? Economic? Tourism? Heritage? Personal freedom. 4. What would you do to ensure access to public lands by horse owners? Assert our State sovereignty vigorously and regularly, oppose all Federal attempts to block the use of public lands fr recreation for any reason, including manufactured Federal administration crises. 5. The Arizona Department of Agriculture receives the majority of their welfare calls concerning equine. Since most of the calls are really not abuse or neglect issues but take the officers away from their other duties, what can you suggest to assist the Dept of Ag to address these complaints? What are your feelings on increasing the Dept of Ag Livestock Officers to address these complaints? How would this increase be funded? I suggest before we fall victim of the “throw money at a problem” ideology, we have a solid understanding of the root cause of the need. Government intrusion should be a last resort, for once bureaucracy is born there seldom is an end to it’s desire to solve problems [real or imagined] I would prefer to see what can be done outside of government intervention. Until we find a solution for the existing $1.6 Billion budget deficit I cannot in good faith consider more spending. 6. How do you envision working with the Arizona Horse Council? Like every other voter group, listen to determine what we need to solve for, how we are doing at solving the problem and what are likely priorities for improvement.
Posted on: Mon, 13 Oct 2014 13:19:28 +0000
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